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The Return Of The Bugazzi

By Tony Borroz, 17 December 2009

Really? Did people every really drive cars like this in any sort of serious way? I mean, yeah, I get it, this thing is a custom and all that, and a custom by George Barris (The King of The Kustomizes) to boot – and that guy was anything but subtle and restrained, but the last time I saw a car like this, Huggy Bear was driving it.

Yeah, I know there's that whole "pimp style" things, but if there was ever a "style" to back away from, that has got to be near the top of the list. Not only does it have a worse sense of esthetic restraint than Louis XIV, but the current power distribution around women is bad enough already without inflicting "pimp style" on them.

Anyway, it's called a Bugazzi but it started out as a 1972 Lincoln before the King of The Kustomizes had a go at it. A while back it rolled across the auction stage at RM Hershey, but now the Bugazzi is on Hemmings.com It's up for sale by an outfit called Daniel Schmitt & Co. in St. Louis Missouri. Daniel Schmitt & Co. seem to think it makes sense to ask about five times for than what it sold for at auction.

Back when RM Hershey was trying to sell it, here's what they had to say:

"Finished in stunning 30 coats of custom, hand-rubbed Pearl lacquer with 24-carat gold leaf hand laid pin striping. Interior features include: Gold suede upholstery, Persian rugs, Italian marble, television, wet bar, and more! This Barris creation was sold new for $29,500 – nearly 3 times the cost of a Lincoln, and $10,000 more than a Rolls-Royce. It was marketed as the finest motorcar in the world to select celebrities such as Danny Thomas, Pia Maria, Enzo Stuarti, and Jack Hennesey just to name a few! With only 12 built, this unique Bugazzi is among one of the most sought after collectible motorcars of modern times. We are proud to offer this piece of motoring history to the most astute collector, investor, enthusiast, or museum who truly desires one of the greatest motorcars of all time. Buy with confidence—you will not be disappointed in this truly magnificent Barris creation!"

Yikes! Where to start? How about with the 30 coats of custom, hand-rubbed Pearl lacquer and the 24-carat gold leaf hand laid pin striping? Yeah, stunning all right, like a blow to the head. Although I've got to say that the color isn't awful (white is so bland anyway) and 24-carat gold leaf pin striping does go with the whole esthetic of the car, that's for sure.

And who the hell are Danny Thomas, Pia Maria, Enzo Stuarti, and Jack Hennesey? OK Danny Thomas has to be the entertainer, but the rest? Pia Maria was apparently an Italian TV host, Enzo Stuarti was an Italian American tenor and musical theater performer, and Jack Hennesey doesn't come up anywhere, so who know who he is.

Daniel Schmitt & Co. has it on eBay with a "Buy it Now" price of US $99,000.00, or about what you could get a Ferrari F430 for. The choice is yours.